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Mariam Al-Mansouri: A Girl Boss to Look At

by Noor Judeh | Oct 27, 2018

Introducing the true definition of girl boss, here we have Mariam Al-Mansouri. One of eight children, active competitor, top-of-the-class, and army soldier, this woman has had constant recognition for accomplishments in her region and was always destined for a powerful future. Known most for being the first female fighter pilot of the United Arab Emirates and one of the first women to join the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) altogether, Al-Mansouri flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon – and to lead UAE mission airstrikes against ISIS nonetheless.

Her fight against feminism was not difficult due to her perseverance. After all, who can argue that a woman this accomplished is incapable. Of course there were instances, as Al-Mansouri recounted in her interview with Deraa Al Watan magazine, and told them that although her family supported her career goals, she had to overcome gender stereotypes along the way. There was a time when U.S. Air Force tanker pilots called the UAE mission during air refueling, and immediately upon hearing Al-Mansouri’s voice, they paused in silence. However, it doesn’t seem that she ever allowed much room for people to criticize or put obstacles in front of her due to her gender.

What an example to look at, as our society becomes more allowing for women to flourish. She is looked at as a “fully qualified, highly trained, combat-ready pilot and wing leader” Yousef Al Otaiba, the Emirati ambassador to the United States, is known to say of her. What we can all take from this is that the fight to be a powerful girl boss does not have to be a struggling warfare. Hats off to Mariam Al-Mansouri for showing us all that.